Life-preserver



(No Model.)

M. COLLINS. LIFE PRBSERVBR.

No. 537,674. Patented Apr. 16, 1895,.

witmaomw MICHAEL COLLINS, OF NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS.

LlFE-PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,674, dated April16, 1895. Application filed March 15, 1894. Serial No. 503,721- (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL COLLINS, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at North Attleborough, in the county of Bristol andState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in lifepreservers of which the following is such a full, clear and exactdescription as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

The object of the invention is to provide a life preserver adapted to bepropelled from a gun on board a ship or stationed on the shore, thatprompt and efficient assistance may be given those in danger.

Furthermore the invention consists in so forming the apparatus that aminimum resistance will be encountered in its course through the air,and furthermore in the novel -neans of securing the life preserver tothe shore line as well as various other details of construction,arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fullydescribed and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings forming part. of this specification and whereinlike characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views, in which Figure 1, is a top plan view of my improved lifepreserver connected to a shore line. Fig. 2, is a sectional view on theline w, w, of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3, is a sectional view of agun barrelsuch as is employed in connection with my invention.

In the drawings 1, denotes a float of rubber tubing or other suitablematerial preferably triangular in shape for the purpose heretoforestated. To one side of the float is firmly secured a rod 2, adapted toenter the barrel of a gun, said rod being provided with outwardlyextending flanges 3, 3, adapted to engage grooves 4, 4 formed in the gunfor the purpose of making a comparatively accurate shot of the device.The rod is provided also with diverging arms 5, 5, semi-circular incross section which are secured to the float l,- as shown, said armsextending around the angular curves and terminating in rings 6, 7, 8,and 9. The said arms are made to fit snugly around the angular curvesand sides of the float forming a wedge-shaped connection which increasesthe strength of the device.

If found necessary the attachment might be made more secure by cementalthough for ordinary use the construction herein shown would suffice.

The rings 6, 7, 8, and 9, are adapted to receive the shore line 10,which is attached as follows: The end thereof is passed through swiveledrings 11, then through rings 6, 7, 8, and 9, back to 6 and 7 and through8 and 9, to the block where it is secured. This connection serves tosteady the float and insures a substantial attachment as well as a holdfor the person using the same.

The shore line as shown is attached to a Windlass l2, inclosed by asuitable casing 13, for obvious reasons. 1

It will be particularly noted that various changes may be made in thedetails of construction of the device without materially departing fromthe general idea involved.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. A life preserver consisting of a float secured to the arms of a rod,said rod being adapted to enter a gun for the purpose set forth.

2. A life preserver consisting of a float secured to the angular arms ofa rod, said arms having integral rings, and a shore line secured to saidrings, substantially as described.

3. A life preserver consisting of a float, a rod provided with flangesadapted to fit in a gun barrel, said rod having arms to which the floatis secured, integral rings on the arms and a shore line secured in therings, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL COLLINS.

Witnesses:

EUGENE OBRIEN, JAMES F. OBRIEN.

